Slow-cooker Italian Beef

My Nana has made this Italian Beef as long as I can remember. Whenever we would all get together, it was such a crowd pleaser. She always served it on sesame seed hoagie buns with Asian Broccoli slaw (the kind you make using Ramen noodles) as a side.

After I graduated college, 2 of my roommates were finishing their senior year. I offered to host a graduation party at our house, and of course, consulted my Nana about the menu. She is an expert at hosting large parties. I served this recipe that day, and now it's a staple in my house. It's super easy to do, and I love that I can have it ready when we get home at night without a lot of fuss.

What do you need?

1 onion, chopped

1 jar of Mezzetta's sliced peperoncinis, drain most of the liquid

2 lb. English Chuck shoulder roast

1 bottle of beer (the alcohol will cook out); if you prefer, you can also substitute 12-16 oz of beef stock

Line your slow-cooker with a BPA-free liners. I promise clean up is so much easier!

Add sliced onion to the bottom of the slow-cooker.

Add the jar of peperoncinis to the slow-cooker.

Generously sprinkle both sides of the roast with Italian seasoning, and Trader Joe's Everyday seasoning. If you don't have that seasoning, just substitute Salt and Pepper. Place roast in slow-cooker.

Pour the entire bottle of beer (or beef stock) over the roast.

Allow to cook on low all day, until roast shreds easily with a fork.

Slow-Cooker Italian Beef

Tips and Tricks:

If you are a fan of spicy food, add jalapeños to the slow-cooker

This recipe is perfect for a large crowd-just double it!

If you are being "good," serve over a crisp salad or a baked potato. If you want to indulge a little, I use fresh bakery rolls, add the shredded beef and top with provolone cheese. I toast these sandwiches under the broiler for a few minutes.

Save your leftover meat for 2-day chili!

2-day Chili

It has been my mission to create a unique chili recipe. I still am tweaking this recipe, and I'm never afraid to change it or make substitutes based on what I have on hand. One day, Josh and I had way too much leftover from the Italian Beef I had made. So, instead of having sandwiches again or topping a baked potato with it, I decided to use it in my chili recipe. Y'all...it is delish! There's something about having 2 different meats in a chili that I think give it an extra "wow" factor.

8 days to Christmas-are y’all getting excited like my house is?!
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We have some family Christmas 🎄 traditions that we look forward to each year.
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We love attending the candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve. There’s something magical about singing hymns with just the glow of 🕯 surrounding you. As soon as we leave church, we eat Chinese-just like on #thechristmasstory
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We also decided early on in our marriage not to give each other gifts on Christmas. Honestly, we tend to do so many house projects, we laugh and say our Christmas gifts are usually new flooring, new paint jobs or some other renovation project🤣
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Speaking of gifts, when our kids were born we told Santa 🎅🏻 that he only needed to bring them 3 🎁 each. They think long and hard on what they want their three to be each year✨
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This year, I’m excited to try a new gift exchange with my family. All the adults are bringing one “as seen on TV” gift, and we are playing a game to see who gets each gift!
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Do you have a holiday tradition you look forward to each year? Drop your favorite below👇🏻

I’m dreaming of blue skies and the 🌊 today.
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A few weeks ago, I conquered my fear of being out on a boat in the ocean to go deep-sea fishing 🐠 I also touched a fish for probably the first time in my life😜
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I grew up fishing with my parents on Lake Graham, but I never baited my own hook or touched a fish when I caught one.
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Looking back on this little 6-hour trip we took, if I had said “no” because I was scared, I would have missed seeing sea creatures I’d never seen before. I would have missed watching my daughter bait her own hook! I would have missed one of the best days out on the ocean with my family as we reeled in some pretty amazing fish 🎣 .
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Saying “yes” even when we are scared can allow us to experience moments we otherwise would miss.
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Dale Carnegie said, “If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Pretty good advice, if you ask me✨ #livethelittlethings #lifeofadventure

These two will leave our venue tonight as Mr. and Mrs.💕
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Happy wedding day to Emily and John✨ 📷: @kristajoyphotography